Text Box: THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PERICARDIAL EFFUSION: WITH 34 CASES
Yang JP, Zhou AQ, Huang MR, et al. 
Shanghai Children's Medical Center, China

Objective:  To explore the diagnosis and treatment of pericardial effusion   
Method: To analyze the clinical features, laboratory examination, causes, management and outcome in 34 patients with pericardial effusion. The 18 boys &16 girls, ranging between Jan 1994 to April 2000.
Results: ①All cases had elevated systemic venous pressure,2 had cardiac tamponade ②All cases had cardiomegaly by chest X-ray, T wave changes by EKG and pericardial effusion by echocardio-graphy,6 casesdeveloped  ST segment depression and 6 cases had low QRS voltage ③Causes: 7 bacterial, 6 viral, 13 autoimmune disorders, 5 malignancy  and 3 chemical④All patients received  combined management⑤Pericardial effusion disappeared  in 21 cases, decreased  in 10 cases and 3 patients gave up treatment. In 6 case tuberculous pericardial effusion, 3 case developed into constrictive pericarditis 
Conclusion:  Many causes can lead to pericardial effusion. The diagnosis is made according to clinical feature and laboratory examination, especially echocardiography. We should use integrated management and also should also follow up closely.
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